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pa•ral•y•sis

Pronunciation: (pu-ral'u-sis),[key]—n.,—pl.-sesPronunciation: (-sēz").[key]1. Pathol.a. a loss or impairment of voluntary movement in a body part, caused by injury or disease of the nerves, brain, or spinal cord.
b. a disease characterized by this, esp. palsy.
2. a state of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act: The strike caused a paralysis of all shipping.